Sequence of Events
Two days before the accident, the certified flight instructor (CFI) and the pilot-rated left-seat occupant were unable to keep the engine running after starting before a flight; the fuel selector valve was found in the "off" position. The airplane was flown between then and the accident date for 1.5 hours with no maintenance or discrepancies noted. The pilot-rated occupant was notified of the fuel selector finding before the accident flight and offered to be checked out; he refused.
On the accident date, the engine quit after starting but was restarted. A witness observed confusion on the left-seat occupant's face while looking at the engine gauges following the engine quitting. The same witness also saw him moving the fuel selector handle. During climbout following a touch-and-go landing, witnesses heard the engine sputtering and observed the airplane roll to the left and pitch nose down.
Post-Accident Examination
Browning of grass forward of each wing fuel tank was noted; 4 gallons of fuel were drained from the right fuel tank. Examination of the engine and flight controls revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Approximately 2 ounces of fuel were found in the carburetor bowl; the flexible hose from the engine-driven fuel pump to the carburetor was dry. The fuel selector valve was found not in a detent but near one of the "off" positions. The arrow on the fuel selector handle, which points to the tank selected, was found to be painted red contrary to the engineering drawing. Fuel selector handles from airplanes flown by the pilot-rated left-seat occupant consisted of the longer end pointing to the tank selected.
Pilot Experience
The pilot-rated left-seat occupant and the CFI had no recorded flight experience in the airplane. Impact signatures on the co-pilot's control column correlate to a right roll and aft elevator input.